Post menopausal bleeding as a risk factor for endometrial carcinoma

From July 1985 to January 1989, 133 patients underwent endometrial sampling for evaluation of post menopausal bleeding (PMB). Of these patients, 114 (85.7 percent) showed benign histology with an average age of 58.6 years. Nineteen (14.3 percent) were malignant, all of which showed endometrial carcinoma. The average age was 65. In addition, 26.3 percent of patients with carcinoma had higher grade of tumor at hysterectomy when compared with the preoperative biopsy. The average volume of tissue removed at curettage was significantly greater in those with carcinoma. Hormonal therapy, duration of symptoms, hypertension, obesity or diabetes were not significant risk factors for carcinoma in our series. PMB remains a major symptom that may predict endometrial carcinoma and must be evaluated. In those patients with carcinoma, intraoperative evaluation of the uterus for tumor grade and depth of invasion is important in determining the extent of surgery.